The Royal Air Force has worked with the U.S. Air Force to test and validate ‘hot’ refuelling procedures for the RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft.
Hot refuelling is when an aircraft is refuelled after landing with an engine running. The RC-135 is not equipped with an aircraft power unit which limits its ability to conduct organic refuel operations without the support of a ground power unit. Hot refuelling reduces ground down time, increases reliability, and enables operations away from main operating bases.
As we prepare for the next fight, we must be ready for adversaries to target our main operating bases, therefore necessitating agile combat employment (ACE).
USAF Major Joshua Snell,
95th Reconnaissance Squadron Mission Director
RAF Waddington based 51 Squadron were involved with the test and validation. The USAF and RAF operate a common fleet of Rivet Joint aircraft which enables the shared development of new techniques, tactics, and procedures, and allows personnel from each service to seamlessly operate on each other’s aircraft.
We’re looking at ways of increasing our quick reaction capability for Rivet Joint and Agile Combat Employment (ACE) is the perfect way to do this. Hot pit refuelling will allow us to ‘turn and burn’ the jet in a drastically reduced time and push the aircraft towards its peak performance operationally.
With the work we already do with the 95th RS, it makes sense for us to combine for a whole force effort in using ACE initiatives to get the Rivet Joint out the door and operational in austere environments as fast as possible.
Flight Lieutenant Dan Wilkes
Agile Combat Employment is a proactive and reactive concept of operations that will enhance the RAF’s resilience and flexibility through the exploitation of agile, adaptable, and optimised basing in the UK and overseas. The concept relies on a rapid and agile approach to operational activities, maintaining the initiative and outpacing adversary action.
